[Hippy Dave]

I said earlier in this thread that there is no right way to play aces, and while I still agree with that, I think there are a few key points to this hand.

a) Assuming the board doesn't improve your hand, you only have a pair, it may be a pair of aces but it's still only a pair. Which leads me onto

b) Don't get too attached to AA. The best players are, in my opinion, the best players because they are able to save chips in tough situations. Anyone can get paid with a monster, it's laying down "monsters" when behind that separates the good from the bad.

c) Don't be disappointed to take just the blinds preflop. Ok, so we all look down and see AA after 3 hours, but if you have to take the blinds rather than trying to get tricky and getting into a mess on the flop, so be it. It's free chips, take them.

Incidentally, the more I play poker the more I realise that 99% of decisions are made for you, by your cards and position, and your opponents betting and position. It's just that the majority of players choose to ignore these clearcut decisions.